The global authority on the English language, the Oxford English Dictionary (OED), has officially embraced the vibrant lexicon of Nigerian Pidgin and everyday speech in its December 2025 update, which is being implemented throughout 2026. This significant expansion adds hundreds of new words, with a notable spotlight on terms originating from Nigeria and West Africa, reflecting the region's profound and growing impact on global English.
Naija Lexicon Goes Global
In an announcement made on Wednesday via its official X (formerly Twitter) account, the OED revealed that its latest quarterly review incorporated more than 500 new words, phrases, and senses, alongside updates to over 1,000 existing entries. A core part of this update is the formal recognition of words deeply embedded in Nigerian food, music, pop culture, and daily conversation.
Catherine Sangster, an author and the Head of Pronunciations for the OED, highlighted that this update also marks a decade since spoken pronunciations were first added to the dictionary. She noted that the OED has enhanced its pronunciation features, including adding fresh audio guides for several West African English entries to aid global understanding.
From 'Abeg' to 'Nyash': The New Entries
The newly added Nigerian and West African words cover a wide spectrum of life. The versatile interjection 'abeg' is now officially defined as a word used to express surprise, exasperation, or disbelief. In the realm of cuisine, 'amala' is described as a dough made from yam or cassava flour, typically served as a staple accompaniment to soups.
The music genre that has taken the world by storm, 'Afrobeats', receives its formal entry, described as a popular music style incorporating elements of West African sounds, jazz, soul, and funk. Other notable additions from Nigeria include:
- Ghana Must Go: The term for the popular checked travel bag.
- Biko: An Igbo word meaning 'please', used as a polite interjection.
- Mammy Market: Referring to the traditional markets found near military barracks.
- Nyash: A popular slang term for buttocks.
- Moi Moi: The steamed bean pudding beloved across the country.
The update also includes other African words like 'obroni' (Ghanaian term for a foreigner), 'hiplife' (a Ghanaian music genre), and 'poda-poda' (a type of minibus in Sierra Leone).
Building on a Growing Trend
This 2026 update follows a similar wave of inclusion reported in January 2025, when the OED added 20 Nigerian words and expressions. That list featured now-global terms like 'japa' (to emigrate), 'agbero' (touts), 'suya' (spiced meat), and 'yahoo boy' (internet fraudster), complete with pronunciation guides.
The consistent addition of these words underscores a deliberate effort by the OED to track and document the evolution of English as a truly global language, with Nigerian English emerging as a powerful and creative dialect. It validates the way millions of Nigerians communicate daily, turning local slang and culinary terms into part of the international linguistic fabric.
This recognition serves as a cultural milestone, affirming that the unique expressions born from Nigeria's streets, kitchens, and music studios have earned a permanent place in the history of the English language.
